Remember when California changed the granny flat rules? Here’s how it played out in Montebello for one family

Share this:

Ilda Villalobos, left, and her brother, Michael, with their parents, Indelisa and Raul, as they show where they will build a two-bedroom unit for them in their backyard in Montebello on Monday October 29, 2018. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)

But if it weren’t for a change in state law and some easing of new rules by the Montebello City Council, the Villalobos siblings probably wouldn’t be able to build the 900-square-foot second home in their backyard.

“I was really happy, the more so I was relieved because I didn’t have to face my parents and tell them we couldn’t build,” Michael Villalobos said about the City Council’s Oct. 24 vote to reduce the minimum property size required on which owners can build a second unit from 7,500 to 7,000 square feet .

Ilda Villalobos, left, and her brother, Michael, look over where they will build a two-bedroom unit for their parents in their backyard in Montebello on Monday October 29, 2018. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)

The Villalobos property is about 7,200 square feet and thus now meets the new rules.

The brother and sister, who grew up in unincorporated East Los Angeles, purchased the property in south 700 block of Fifth Street in Montebello about four years ago.

About 18 months ago, parents Raul and Indelisa Villalobos, who still live in East Los Angeles, came up with the idea of building a second home at their children’s home and living there, Ilda Villalobos said.

The kids liked the idea, acknowledging their folks are getting older: Raul is 80, and Indelisa is 78.

“I don’t know how much longer my father will be able to drive,” Ilda Villalobos said. “I notice that it’s hard for me to visit them as much. Why not build them a unit in the back where I can walk over there?”

Speaking in Spanish as translated by her daughter, Indelisa Villalobos said she saw the space in her children’s backyard and thought moving to Montebello would be a good idea.

“My daughter is always watching over me, and I always call her,” she said.

The design for the second unit features two bedrooms, a living room and a kitchen. Raul Villalobos Jr., another son, also would live there.

The purpose of the new law was to add to the state’s affordable housing stock. Before it, Montebello required property owners to provide additional parking when they proposed adding a second unit. Under it, city’s can’t demand additional parking spaces for units located within a half-mile of public transit.

In response, the Montebello City Council approved in September temporary standards for second units, including a provision that the applicant lot be at least 7,500 square feet.

“We want to have some controls in place to prevent overcrowding because we have parking problems in this city,” Councilman Jack Hadjinian said.

A related concern is how narrow streets with even more parked cars could slow down first responders, acting City Manager Andrew Pasmant said in the staff report for the Sept. 26 meeting.

The city’s interim ordinance includes various standards and development conditions, with the most notable restriction a prohibition on a second unit for any property on a street less than 40 feet wide, Pasmant wrote.

On Oct. 24, the council was prepared to extend the ordinance — which would have expired Nov. 10 — another 10 months and 15 days.

But then the Villalobos came to the council, asking for help.

“I’m asking the City Council to consider reducing the amount to 7,000 (square feet) so more people like myself can add a dwelling,” Michael Villalobos told council members. “We want to have a retirement house behind for our parents for their retirement. For now, we can’t do that.”

Manuel Mancha, interim director of community development, said he was OK with reducing the minimum requirement to 7,000 square feet.

“There are not a lot of properties that size,” Mancha said. “Most are a little less than 7,000.

Mike Sprague started at the Whittier Daily News in April 1984. Since then, Sprague has covered every city in the Whittier Daily News circulation area, as well as political and water issues. Sprague received a bachelor's degree in communications and a master's degree in political science, both from Cal State Fullerton.